Scottsdale, AZ -- Availability of free Wi-Fi does influence venue choice. According to In-Stat's new Wi-Fi Hotspot research, nearly two-thirds of respondents indicated that free Wi-Fi influences their choice of venue. An additional 31% indicated that free access may influence their choice, and just 5% said that it would have no influence over venue choice.

"Our research shows that while revenue may not always be directly gleaned from the hotspot offering, free Wi-Fi has a significant value in bringing customers to a venue," says Amy Cravens, Market Analyst. "It's no wonder then that over 150 thousand café/retail venues have now deployed Wi-Fi hotspots, although not all of these are free. That's in addition to the tens of thousands of travel-related installations (hotels, airports, in-flight) worldwide."

Some of the research findings include:

* Worldwide annual hotspot connects, or sessions, will reach over 2 billion by the end of 2010 with annual hotspot connects anticipated to grow to over 11 billion by 2014.

* Asia/Pacific will have about one quarter of the worldwide hotspot venues over the forecast period.

* By 2012, handhelds are anticipated to account for half of hotspot connects.

* The total worldwide hotspot market size will swell to 319,200 venues by year-end.

Recent In-Stat research, "Worldwide Wi-Fi Hotspot Usage Soars, but is Model Sustainable?" (#IN1004769WS) examines the worldwide market for public Wi-Fi access in hotspots (airports, cafés/restaurants/bars, convention centers, hotels, retail, marinas, outdoor hospitality and public areas). Included in the research is: